Proverbs 17:20 Meaning and Explanation
“He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A twisted heart finds no good, and a deceitful tongue trips the speaker into trouble.
The Context of Proverbs 17:20
Proverbs repeatedly links inner corruption with outward failure and suffering.
What Does Proverbs 17:20 Mean?
The verse describes the internal corruption that leads to outward failure. A froward (twisted, perverse) heart—one bent on its own advantage and resistant to truth—cannot find genuine good no matter how hard it seeks. Good eludes such a person because the heart is oriented the wrong way. Similarly, one whose tongue is perverse (crooked, deceitful) inevitably stumbles into mischief—the lies eventually come back to harm their speaker.
This teaches that character shapes destiny. A twisted inner life produces twisted outcomes. The tongue twisted toward deception becomes a trap the speaker falls into, because the real world does not bend to lies indefinitely. Reform must begin within the heart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 17:20
What does Proverbs 17:20 mean?
A twisted heart finds no good, and a deceitful tongue trips the speaker into trouble.
What is the context of Proverbs 17:20?
Proverbs repeatedly links inner corruption with outward failure and suffering.